Eight Qazi courts will be setup in Beruwela in Western Province and Akkaraipaththu, Batticaloa, Ampara, Potuwil and Sammanthurai in Eastern Province where a major population of Muslims live, state-run TV, ITN reported.

The courts headed by judges known as Qazis will render their verdicts according to the Sharia Law, mostly to settle family disputes of Muslim people. They serve as means to settle disputes without going to the civil courts and save the poor Muslims from paying heavy fees to the lawyers.

The government says until now these courts have been in operation at the residences of the Qazi judges.

Former Minister of Justice Milinda Moragoda has given advice to form these courts at a cost of Rs. 40 million